Lack of shame over Debono Grech threat shows MPs’ ‘absolute lack of accountability’

Human rights group Aditus has described the scale of inaction by Maltese MPs over Joe Debono Grech’s threat of violence against MP Marlene Farrugia as a confirmation that Malta is “miles away from ensuring a society that is free from harassment and violence against women.”

A Speaker’s ruling on Debono Grech’s threat in the House that he would “beat up” Pullicino delivered a neutered response to the complaint, by stating that no breach of privilege had been called out and by calling on both MPs to take back their words. Farrugia, a former Labour MP, was said to have told Debono Grech that he was “corrupt” during a noisy altercation in the House.

But Aditus director Neil Falzon said the interaction of the two MPs and the rest of the House on the matter was “an offence to the entire nation” that highlighted the almost absolute lack of accountability inside the House.

“We are extremely concerned at the comfort enjoyed by MPs that they are free to adopt a language and tone that would be totally unacceptable in any other context.

“Beyond formal considerations of Parliamentary privilege, we find it unacceptable that the altercation did not trigger an outright condemnation by every single other Member of Parliament.”

As an NGO working with vulnerable and socially excluded communities in Malta, Aditus said that such language was used against clients, staff members, and volunteers. “We are also too familiar with the lack of shame accompanying such bullying and harassment. Yet what else can we really expect, when Malta’s highest democratic institution behaves with such impunity, such impropriety, such disrespect?”

Aditus also condemned the laissez-faire attitude of all MPs before an episode classifiable as violence against women and possibly punishable under Malta’s criminal legislation.

“In 2011 the Commission on Domestic Violence reported that around one in every four women in Malta have experienced a form of violence or abuse. The example set

in the House of Representatives, a spectacle of a woman being harassed and bullied before her peers and the entire nation, is of deep concern and should immediately attract the condemnation of Malta’s equality bodies, relevant civil society organisations and all political stakeholders. Anything short of this tells violent partners, colleagues and parents that their behaviour is, in fact, quite fine,” Falzon said.

“Malta hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, together with the important People’s and Women’s Fora, is an excellent opportunity for it to stand firmly on the side of human rights and good governance. Friday’s episode and reactions to date do not seem to indicate that Malta is actually capable of such a stand.”